Sign In
Upcoming Event
Free Newsletter
Triple Crown completes demolition of James Bell Tavern in Silver Spring Township
March 29, 2017//
Triple Crown completes demolition of James Bell Tavern in Silver Spring Township
March 29, 2017//
Listen to this articleTriple Crown said it was unable to reach an agreement with a nonprofit group, The Bell Tavern Association, to sell and save the landmark property.
The building is believed to be the site of Stony Ridge Convention, held on July 3, 1788, which led to early amendments to the U.S. Constitution, including elements of the Bill of Rights. Triple Crown was first contacted by the township in early 2016 and was issued a stop work order after demolition on the structure had started the previous day.
The association had been trying to raise funds to purchase the property and restore it. Spokeswoman Christine Musser said the group had raised about $12,000, but Triple Crown was asking for $300,000 by the end of March.
“We asked (Triple Crown) to give us a year to come up with the funds,” Musser said. “(The company) did not want to do that.”
Triple Crown said the property continued to deteriorate since the demolition process began, especially under the recent heavy snow. Demolition was needed for safety reasons, officials said.
Musser called today’s events “very sad,” but said the association will move forward. She said there is a plan to place a historical marker on the property through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. That could happen this summer or fall.
“People will still know what once stood there,” Musser said. “Developers need to be aware of the historic value (of properties) before they demolish them.”
Triple Crown is preparing the property for sale and redevelopment.
